Russell Means is planning to run for president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in the election this fall, one of seven candidates, despite his felony conviction which by tribal law disqualifies him. Other candidates who have filed for president, include incumbent John Yellowbird Steele, tribal Vice President Theresa "Huck" Two Bulls, Denver American Horse, Mel L. Lone Hill, Harvey White Woman and Robert Benson.

Bay Mills College plans
12 new charter schools
Lansing, Michigan (AP)

A tribal community college in the Upper Peninsula is working on opening 12 new charter schools across Michigan next year despite the opposition of some lawmakers. The Bay Mills Community College has given preliminary approval for charter schools in Brimley, Flint, Ann Arbor, Port Huron, Ypsilanti, Waterford, Jackson, Muskegon County, Wayne County's Sumpter Township, Mount Pleasant and two in Macomb County. The schools still need final approval from Bay Mills' Board of Regents before they can open in the fall of 2003.

Economic development summit announced
Lower Brule, South Dakota (AP)

Two members of the Bush administration used a South Dakota visit to announce a national summit on economic development for American Indian tribes. Bureau of Indian Affairs Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb and White House representative Jennifer Farley met with most of the state's tribal chairmen during late August at Lower Brule. The national summit will be Sept. 16-19 in Phoenix.

Teen indicted in
death of Archambault
Rapid City, South Dakota (AP)

A 16-year-old boy faces four charges in the death of woman last fall, authorities say. A federal grand jury indicted Gary Long Jr. of McLaughlin on four counts: kidnapping resulting in death, aggravated sexual abuse, first-degree burglary, and larceny. The body of Ivy Archambault, 31, of McLaughlin, was found last Oct. 11 near Newell, in Butte County. Long was arrested the next day. He remains in custody in Pierre. No trial date has been set.

Tribes' lawsuit over casino track moved to Madison
Madison,Wisconsin (AP)

A federal court in Madison will hear a lawsuit challenging the governor's ability to block tribes from acquiring a western Wisconsin dog track. A federal judge in Washington, D.C., moved the lawsuit during August from Washington to Madison. Three Chippewa tribes filed the lawsuit in May 2001 because they want to open a casino at the former track. They claim the governor's veto power over casino projects is unconstitutional. The Sokaogon, Lac Courte Oreilles and Red Cliff - were granted federal approval to acquire the now-defunct Chippewa Meadows Racing Park and to open a casino there. Gov. Scott McCallum rejected the request to make the property part of the tribal land trust.

In Brief
Bone marrow search continues for Arizona girl
Tucson, Arizona (AP)

Red Cross workers are racing to find a matching donor for a 13-year-old leukemia patient who needs a bone marrow transplant. Blanca Frias, a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, has been slipping in and out of remission. Because the chances of a bone marrow match are higher among members of the same race, officials are appealing for donors among American Indians. None of the 60,000 American Indians listed on the bone marrow registry is a match so the Red Cross has been testing people to find one. During a drive during late August, 52 people were tested. More than 200 people turned out for a similar drive in July.

Beloit off-reservation agreement renegotiated
Beloit, Wisconsin (AP)

The slow, grinding wheels of the federal government have caused City of Beloit administrators to renegotiate an agreement with the Bad River and St. Croix Bands of Chippewa on plans for a casino. The Chippewa have proposed a complex which would have 3,000 slot machines, 75 blackjack tables, a hotel, theater, convention hall and several restaurants. The original intergovernmental agreement between the city and Chippewa would become void if the bands do not get all necessary approval by Jan. 15, 2003. Council president William Watson said the BIA told them the application might now leave their office until late this year. Republican Gov. Scott McCallum, who is running for re-election, has repeatedly said he won't support expansion of gambling in Wisconsin.

Sioux Falls firm to produce video on historic properties
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (AP)

A Sioux Falls company, Vision Video Inc., has been awarded a $50,000 contract to produce training videos and a workbook to help government workers identify, evaluate and protect historical properties. The South Dakota State Historical Society, part of the state Department of Education and Cultural Affairs, picked the company. The videos and workbook are to show officials how to provide public education, do architectural surveys, compile annual reports and hold meetings consistent with legal requirements.

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What's Up
Hearing set in proposed recall of Leech Lake chair
Cass Lake, Minnesota (AP)

The Leech Lake Tribal Council has scheduled a public hearing Sept. 13 for members of the tribe to discuss the proposed recall of council chairman Eli Hunt. Hunt, who has led the tribe for six years, was served with a petition for removal on Aug. 22. The petition carried more than 500 signatures from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. The petition charges Hunt with malfeasance in the handling of tribal affairs, dereliction or neglect of duty and refusal to comply with the constitution and bylaws of the tribe. In a statement on Aug. 23, Hunt said he welcomes the opportunity to answer the allegations.

Talks started over possible sale of Crandon mine
Madison, Wisconsin (AP)

The president of Nicolet Minerals Co. said Sept. 6 talks have started with the state over a buyout of a proposed underground zinc and copper mine in northern Wisconsin. Two appraisals of some 5,000 acres the mining company owns are finished, Nicolet president Dale Alberts said, adding that he met this week with state officials to begin negotiations on a possible sale. "I would characterize the discussions as serious," Alberts said in a telephone interview after spending two days in Madison. "I will not speculate or talk about price at all."

Cheyenne River Sioux chair Bourland defeated
Rapid City, South Dakota (AP)

Gregg Bourland, longtime chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, has lost a bid for re-election. Bourland finished third in the tribe's primary election last month to Harold Frazier, the vice chairman, and candidate Wayne Ducheneaux. With 16 people running for the chairman's seat, voters cast 437 ballots for Frazier and 355 ballots for Wayne Ducheneaux. Bourland finished with 343 votes. Frazier and Ducheneaux now are vying for the chairman's job in the Nov. 5 general election. Bourland, who was seeking his fourth as tribal chairman, was the tribe's youngest chairman when he was elected in 1990 at the age of 33.